Aftermath

The spring water gurgled.

Fang Yuan sat by the stream, cleaning his wounds while contemplating his recent actions, checking for any loose ends.

"I took down Song Zhigao in one fell swoop. My original intention was to sever the Song family's arm, but I didn't expect Song Yujie to be there. I had to kill him too!"

Fang Yuan felt no regret whatsoever after killing Song Yujie.

On the contrary, if his martial arts had been stronger at the time, he would have killed Song Zhong too, even if the Elder was present!

Since they were already mortal enemies, why wouldn't he cut the weeds and remove the roots?

"Besides Song Zhigao, I can rest easy for a while... but..."

Fang Yuan frowned slightly.

He knew very well that killing Song Zhigao was one thing, but Song Yujie's death here would undoubtedly enrage Song Zhong, and even the entire Gui Ling Sect.

If they found out, the outcome would be a fight to the death.

After careful consideration, Fang Yuan concluded that he had left no trace.

After all, there was a large group of alibis in the Secluded Valley, and he had never been seen by anyone since he left.

As for the Black Sand Palm? That was even more ridiculous. There were at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, Martial Artists in Qinghe Commandery who had practiced the Black Sand Palm.

Moreover, he had only obtained the manual a short time ago. Could he have immediately mastered it to the point of killing Song Yujie? Even Steward Lin himself wouldn't believe that!

'Therefore, for the time being, as long as nothing goes wrong in the Secluded Valley, I'm still safe...'

Fang Yuan applied wound medicine to his chest, put on his outer clothes, and moved around. He found that apart from the lingering pain at the wound, his movements were not significantly affected, and he nodded in satisfaction.

"Of course, there are many unknown methods in this world, so I can't be careless..."

Fang Yuan warned himself silently.

In this world, Martial Artists were the most common form of supernatural power that ordinary people encountered. Beyond Martial Artists, there were all sorts of Spirit Scholars, Spellcasters, Alchemists, and even legends of Demons, Monsters, and Ghosts, and immortals. These were countless, and where there's smoke, there's fire.

Perhaps there was one or two methods he couldn't even imagine that could uncover his secret.

"Of course... Song Zhong doesn't have that much influence, and even the Gui Ling Sect would have a hard time dealing with it... So, I still have time! I must seize this opportunity to improve."

He was alone and weak now, so anyone could step on him.

But what if he were a Martial Ancestor, or even a legendary Spirit Scholar or immortal? Not to mention Song Zhigao, even Song Yujie could be killed at will. What could Song Zhong do?

Ultimately, it all came down to strength!

With insufficient strength, a protective charm was very important.

Fang Yuan looked at the sun and sprinted along the mountain path, arriving at the Secluded Valley.

"Cackle!"

A white shadow flashed, and the Flower Fox Ferret appeared, cackling. It then poked its head out, allowing Fang Yuan to pet it, while its little paws gestured wildly.

"Oh, nothing has changed?"

Understanding the Flower Fox Ferret's meaning, Fang Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

If the Zhou or Lin families had gotten restless, discovered the secret of the Secluded Valley, or directly broken in and found Fang Yuan missing, he would have immediately fled with the Flower Fox Ferret without a second thought.

He could cultivate Spirit Seeds himself, so what was more important than his own life?

But now, everything was proceeding according to Fang Yuan's plan.

"Hmm, you've worked hard!"

After sending the Flower Fox Ferret away, Fang Yuan immediately entered the secret passage and arrived inside the stone room.

Old Master Zhou was also crucial. If this guy died, Fang Yuan would still have trouble establishing himself.

With this thought, Fang Yuan lit the oil lamp and immediately saw a blackish-green face on the stone bed, covered in pustules and oozing pus.

At first glance, it seemed that Old Master Zhou had already died from the poison.

Seeing this, Fang Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. "It's done!"

He knew that although Old Master Zhou looked terrifying now, he had narrowly escaped death.

The poison of Lover's Intoxication had penetrated deep into his bones, and its symptoms were difficult to detect externally. Over time, it would become incurable.

But now that the poison was manifesting externally, it was a sign that it had been forced out.

"But judging by his appearance, the poisoning was quite severe. It must have taken more than a day or two!"

Fang Yuan shook his head, fed Old Master Zhou another pill of King of Hell's Post, then cut his arm and used silver needles to prick his acupoints, drawing out the poisoned blood.

After about half an hour of this ordeal, Old Master Zhou's breathing completely stabilized, the pustules on his face disappeared, and a hint of color returned to his face. He was clearly saved.

"Hoo..."

Fang Yuan wiped the fine sweat from his forehead and also let out a sigh of relief.

If he hadn't relied on the Zhou family to provide an alibi, he wouldn't have invested so much in Old Master Zhou.

There wasn't much Poison Dragon Grass to begin with, the amount of King of Hell's Post was limited, and he needed King of Hell's Post as a backup to practice the Black Sand Palm and extract toxins.

'You old rascal got off easy...'

Fang Yuan silently recited a phrase in his heart and pressed the mechanism, opening the stone door of the training quiet room.

Crrack! Crrack!

Accompanied by the sound of the mechanism, the millstone-sized stone door slid open automatically, and dazzling sunlight poured down.

"Little hermit, how is it!"

Outside, Zhou Wenwu and Zhou Wenxin, brother and sister, along with Steward Lin Benchu, were waiting anxiously, their faces full of unease.

"Everything went smoothly!"

Fang Yuan had naturally tidied up all the loose ends. He let Zhou Wenwu go in and carry out Old Master Zhou, who had been pulled back from the brink of death.

"He is out of danger. Remember to prescribe some warming and tonifying medicines. After a period of recuperation, he will recover completely!"

The poison of Lover's Intoxication was not only like a maggot gnawing at the bone, but it had also been continuously growing stronger by relying on those potent tonifying medicines.

Therefore, the Zhou family's painstaking efforts to find rare medicinal ingredients for Old Master Zhou to consume were essentially hastening his demise.

Fang Yuan also realized from this that there must be an inside mole within the Zhou family.

However, he had no particular friendship with the Zhou family, so this matter was not worth mentioning.

"Please, little hermit, have mercy and let Old Master stay here for a few days!"

Zhou Wenwu quickly checked, his face filled with joy, and bowed deeply.

"That's acceptable, but it must be outside the valley. I prefer quiet and don't want to be disturbed!"

Fang Yuan stroked his chin and nodded in agreement.

Since he had already taken on the task of saving the person, he naturally had to see it through to the end. Otherwise, if the Old Master returned to the Zhou family and was harmed again, who would be responsible?

"Haha, nephew, your medical skills are, in my opinion, no less than that of the Heart-Questioning Hermit!"

Steward Lin said excitedly, with a slight hint of regret in his heart.

"Mm, I am tired today. Everyone, please take your leave."

Fang Yuan flicked his sleeve, showing his intention to see them out.

If this were any other time, everyone would have thought this young man was too audacious and reckless. But now, facing a divine doctor who could bring the dead back to life and mend broken bones, they were filled with awe and immediately withdrew from the Secluded Valley, their expressions quite respectful.

After all, Old Master Zhou's lingering issues were still in Fang Yuan's hands. Even they couldn't be sure they wouldn't get injured or fall ill in the future and have to seek Fang Yuan's help. Therefore, they were extremely courteous.

After this group of troublesome people left, Fang Yuan let out a long sigh of relief.

With such a large group of witnesses, it was a separate matter whether Elder Song could even suspect him regarding the incident with Song Yujie. Even if he did have suspicions, these witnesses would be enough to dispel them.

Qingye City.

Before a pile of ruins.

"Jie'er?"

Elder Song was in his fifties. Song Yujie was his late-born son, whom he cherished dearly.

Upon hearing the news of the sudden disaster, he couldn't even attend to his sect duties and rushed over on horseback. He stood in front of the ruins of Song Zhigao's mansion, his expression stunned.

"Elder Song, the maids and servants from inside the mansion have all been brought here, not a single one is missing!"

More than a dozen Gui Ling Sect disciples bowed and revealed a group of timid maids and servants behind them.

Although Fang Yuan had committed arson and murder that day, he had not killed indiscriminately. Many servants had seized gold and silver from their masters and planned to flee.

But now, they were all here, not one missing, which showed the astonishing power Song Zhong wielded.

"Speak! Tell me everything that happened that day, without omitting a single word!"

Song Zhong's face was as calm as a still lake, his eyelids lowered. His tone was indifferent, yet it easily evoked the feeling of the calm before a storm.

"Elder Song, spare our lives!"

A group of maids and servants cried and wailed, only knowing how to beg for mercy. "It was a Hat Person who came in and killed Song Zhigao and Young Master Song. It has nothing to do with us!"

"Yujie... is dead?!"

Song Zhong murmured in disbelief, then waved his hand, and his internal energy surged forth.

Puff! Puff!

The servant who spoke immediately had more than a dozen holes burst open in his body, blood gushing out like a spring.

"If Yujie is dead, why are you still alive?"

Song Zhong muttered to himself, then beckoned a disciple. "Song San, you were adopted by me and are the most favored by me. Go down immediately and interrogate these people strictly. I want everything about that Hat Person!"

"Yes, Master!"

Song San's expression was solemn, but his heart was filled with a little ecstasy.

After all, Song Yujie's presence had blocked opportunities for many people from the start.

Now that he was confirmed dead, their opportunities as disciples would come.

If he could inherit Song Zhong's mantle and legacy, it would be like soaring to the heavens!

'That murderer, even though I don't know where you are, I still want to thank you... Since you've already helped me once, help me a second time, using your head to pave my path to glory!'

Song San sneered inwardly, but outwardly, he maintained a solemn and sorrowful expression, clenching his fists. "We must avenge our junior disciple!"

"Indeed!"

Song Zhong, being old and experienced, waved Song San away. A flicker of disdain flashed in his eyes.

Did he really not know what these disciples were thinking? He was merely tolerating them for now because he still needed to use them.

The most pressing matter was to avenge Yujie!

'Yujie was personally taught by me. His martial arts had already reached the Fourth Gate, and he was proficient in the Gui Ling Sword Technique and Heart Art. Even against an ordinary Fourth Gate cultivator in the martial world, he could still fight. How could he have died? How could he die?'

Song Zhong gazed at the ruins, murmuring to himself, "Could it be that some of my old enemies set a trap on purpose?"

No matter how he thought about it, he could never have imagined that Song Yujie's death was actually full of chance. Instead, the more he thought, the further he strayed, shifting his focus to several of his old enemies.